Exterior, The Lanesborough, courtesy The Lanesborough

High-end hotels worldwide are introducing unparalleled services for their guests.
In Geneva, the Richmond Hotel has put forward an intelligent new service which prospective watch buyers will find hard to resist: a dedicated Watch Butler. The service, which is complimentary to guests staying at Le Richemond, is tailor made and starts by inviting guests to peruse a brand list before requesting to view any particular timepieces. Most of the brands available are manufactured in or around Geneva and, for added interest; the Watch Butler is also able to arrange private visits to the manufacturing sites for Vacheron Constantin, Roger Dubuis and Franck Muller amongst others.
Westin Hotels around the world have launched the Running Concierges that take guests out on guided runs along scenic routes featuring artistic, historic or naturalistic points of interest. The service comes complete with warm-ups, water bottles, and clean towels.
The Lanesborough Hotel in London is offering Picnic Butlers for the summer.
The "Ultimate hassle free picnic", as the hotel brands it, is serving dishes prepared by the hotel; before guests arrive, the butler is on hand to set up the picnic in the famous Hyde Park, complete with crystal glasses, china, rugs and napkins. At the end of the meal, a quick phone call brings him back, ready to clear away the remnants of the feast. For €294 per head, luxury lovers will enjoy a menu including lobster, truffled fois gras, and will be drinking champagne.

iPad complimentary at The Berkley Hotel©The Berkley

Also in London, at The Berkley Hotel, guests staying selected suites will enjoy a complimentary iPad, for the duration of their stay. Complete with a variety of themed apps, from newspapers to games for the younger ones, and a specially created by the The Berkeley’s concierge, a Top 5 of must-visit shops, exhibitions and local attractions, categorized under “Children”, “Fashion” and “Culture”. These insider tips have been clearly mapped so that guests can plan their itinerary from their bedroom, whilst getting informed on the latest, often unknown, mustdo’s. - CF

Published 27.05.2010